Thinking of buying 944

[robwils]

Well I've had a look at a few 944's today, good variety too
2.7 LUX, 220 Turbo and an S2 cabriolet - ALL red !!

Must admit I liked what I saw in most of them. Never considered the soft top till I saw one at a localish garage.
Turbo may be sold already and cab may be too much for me at moment, but LUX felt nice to drive. May well consider this one, having a think overnight.

Thanks for all your advice so far. Its appreciated.

Will be popping into red line racing tomorrow (local porsche specialist) see if they offer a car check over for a potential purchser ??

Didn't get a good look inside sills, boot ares looked OK.
If these do need doing what would a budget cost be ??

Also, brakes not up to 'modern car standard' , anything that can be done with them to make them better ??

 

[Suffolk944]

Sounds like you had some fun looking around today. [] A 944's brakes while not as (or some would say, over) servo'd as modern cars and thus requiring a bit more of a prod, should stop the car very well indeed. I got the brake fluid changed in mine and the difference was very noticeable. I would start with that and then see how they feel.

 

[robwils]

Thanks for that, not sure when it was last done, I'll check that. They did stop, just a bit more effort required. Are they ABS on a LUX ??
or did that come later?

The mileage is quoted as 50K but seems low on the number of owners (7), and all service stamps seem to be mainly from one garage, is there any way of getting a detailed history of when cars changed ownership ?

Any view on cost of new sills ?

Rob

 

[Suffolk944]

Not sure about ABS on a Lux, am sure someone who knows will be along presently. [] As for sill replacement I have heard figures of £1500 - £2000 being the ball park. [&:]

 

[poprock]

I'll second changing the brake fluid. Cures that "˜spongy pedal' feeling right away. If not, you need to look at your master cylinder which is an expensive part to renew.

Costs for doing the sills vary wildly depending on the bodyshop doing the work. I've heard of guys up here in Central Scotland who will do both sides for around £600, but also heard quotes of up to £2k. I figure the trick is to find a small, cheap shop that you know can be trusted because they've done 944 sills before.

 

[Fat Albert]

The Sills are an emotive subject in the 944 fraternity, true to completely replace both sides with aproper job that will last another 20 years is £1500-£2000, but balance what your car is worth with perfect sills, what condition/mileage the car is and how long you expect to keep the car, and you might decide that spending £300-600 to have a job that will last 2-5 years perfectly adequate (of course you could have that done 4 times over the next 20 years....)

 

[jasonp]

hiya rob, car been serviced at 1 garage for nearly all its life could be a great thing as they would/should know the car inside out,can you see all the previous mots? and please be mindful of clocking! a low mileage example could be hiding all sorts of nastys if its been "layed up" and i would try to get her checked over before purchase, regards jason p

 

[robwils]

ORIGINAL: jasonp

hiya rob, car been serviced at 1 garage for nearly all its life could be a great thing as they would/should know the car inside out,can you see all the previous mots? and please be mindful of clocking! a low mileage example could be hiding all sorts of nastys if its been "layed up" and i would try to get her checked over before purchase, regards jason p

Thats a good thought on the services, will give them a ring.

Spending about £600 on a sill job OK for 2-5 years doesn't sound too bad either.
I'm hoping this is just the first Porsche I get !

Cheers

Rob